Apparatus and method for washing the inside of wine barrels

ABSTRACT

A barrel washing apparatus ( 10 ) for cleaning barrels, particularly wine barrels ( 16 ). A wand assembly ( 14 ) has a spray head ( 22 ) mounted on a fluid supply tube ( 28 ) which is bent in a particular fashion such that it can be inserted through a bung hole ( 20 ) of a wine barrel ( 16 ). A suction tube ( 24 ) has a cut away portion ( 38 ) in a distal end ( 36 ) thereof for abutting the bottom of the wine barrel ( 16 ). The suction tube ( 24 ) is also bent in a particular fashion. A barrel stopper ( 26 ) is adapted for holding the fluid supply tube ( 28 ) and the suction tube ( 24 ) in position in the bung hole ( 20 ) of the wine barrel ( 16 ). A service cart ( 12 ) has a pressure pump ( 55 ) for providing fluids under pressure to the spray head ( 22 ) via a fluid line ( 50 ), A vacuum apparatus ( 62 ) provides vacuum for removing fluids from the wine barrel ( 16 ) via the suction tube ( 24 ) and a vacuum line ( 52 ) and for depositing the fluids in a sump ( 63 ). A sump pump ( 64 ) removes the fluids from the sump ( 63 ).

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the right of priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Serial No. 60/385,467, which was filed by the sameinventors on Jun. 3, 2002, and is incorporated herein by reference inits entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates generally to the fields of wine making andmechanical washing apparatus, and more particularly to an apparatus andmethod for washing the interior surfaces of barrels. The predominantcurrent usage of the invention is an apparatus and method for washingthe inside of wine barrels while the barrels remain in their normalstorage locations within the winery.

[0004] 2. Description of the Background Art

[0005] Currently, washing the inside of wine barrels is a time consumingand labor intensive process. A barrel must be removed from its storagelocation in the winery, and transported to a washing station. At thewashing station, the barrel is inverted, and water is sprayed into thebarrel. The rinse water drains by the force of gravity from the bunghole of the barrel, and runs into a floor drain, or the like. Once thebarrel has been rinsed, it must be returned to its storage location inthe winery. The current barrel washing method suffers from severaldisadvantages.

[0006] One disadvantage is that neighboring barrels typically need to bemoved in order to remove a barrel from its storage location. During thewine making process, it is desirable for any solids in the wine tosettle to the bottom of the barrel. Moving the barrel disadvantageouslydisperses the sediment back into the wine.

[0007] Another disadvantage of the current barrel washing method is thatit increases the likelihood of worker injury. Whenever barrels aremoved, there is a risk that one or more barrels can fall on a worker.Additionally, full barrels are extremely heavy, and workers can injurethemselves moving the heavy barrels. Further, the area in and around thewashing station is typically wet, and is therefore likely to cause slipand fall injuries.

[0008] Yet another disadvantage is that the quality of wash obtainedwith the current method varies greatly. In some cases, the rinse wateris simply squirted into the barrel with a garden hose, or the like. Insuch case, there is no assurance that the entire inner surface isthoroughly rinsed. Further, the quality of the wash is highlysusceptible to worker error. A less than conscientious worker couldperform only a quick wash, leaving the barrel dirty.

[0009] What is needed, therefore, is an apparatus and method for washingthe inside of wine barrels without moving the barrels from their normalstorage locations. What is also needed is an apparatus and method forwashing barrels that is safer than current methods. What is also neededis an apparatus and method for washing wine barrels that is morethorough, consistent, and reliable than current methods.

SUMMARY

[0010] An advantage of the present invention is that it is quick andeasy to wash wine barrels using the inventive method and apparatus.

[0011] Another advantage of the present invention is that washing winebarrels is made safer.

[0012] Still another advantage of the present invention is that winebarrels are thoroughly cleaned.

[0013] Yet another advantage of the present invention is that poorlycleaned wine barrels, due to worker negligence or mistake, areessentially eliminated.

[0014] Still another advantage of the present invention is that the costof cleaning wine barrels is greatly reduced.

[0015] The present invention overcomes the problems associated with theprior art by providing an apparatus and method for washing the inside ofwine barrels. The invention facilitates washing the inside of the winebarrels without moving the barrels from their normal storage locations,such as on racks with other barrels of wine.

[0016] Briefly, the barrel washing apparatus includes a spray head, afluid supply tube fixed to the spray head, a suction tube, and a novelstopper adapted to engage the fluid supply tube and the suction tubewithin the bunghole of a barrel. In a particular embodiment, the fluidsupply tube and/or the suction tube have one or more bends formedtherein in order to facilitate insertion of the spray head and thesuction tube through the bung hole of the barrel even when there islimited overhead clearance. The stopper includes one or more vent holes,a hole to accept the fluid supply tube, and a channel formed to acceptthe suction tube. In the embodiment shown, the stopper is fixed to thefluid supply tube. However, the stopper may alternatively be fixed tothe vacuum tube, not affixed to either, or the like.

[0017] The barrel washing apparatus further includes a high pressurefluid source and a vacuum source. The fluid source is coupled to thefluid supply tube via a fluid supply line, and the vacuum supply iscoupled to the suction tube via a vacuum supply line. In the particularembodiment shown by way of example herein, the fluid source and thevacuum source are mounted on a cart to facilitate transportation of thewashing apparatus to the storage locations of the barrels in the winery.

[0018] A method of inserting a spray head and a suction tube in a barrelis also disclosed. The method includes the steps of fixing a spray headto a fluid supply tube, inserting the spray head into the barrel throughthe bung hole, inserting the suction tube into the barrel through thebung hole, engaging the fluid supply tube and the suction tube with astopper, and positioning the stopper in the bung hole of the barrel. Themethod facilitates the insertion of a spray head and a vacuum tubethrough the bung hole of a barrel, where the sum of the diameters of thespray head and suction tube exceed the diameter of the bung hole.

[0019] These and other objects and advantages of the present inventionwill become clear to those skilled in the art in view of the descriptionof modes of carrying out the invention, and the industrial applicabilitythereof, as described herein and as illustrated in the several figuresof the drawing. The objects and advantages listed or discussed hereinare not an exhaustive list of all possible objects or advantages of theinvention. Moreover, it will be possible to practice the invention evenwhere one or more of the intended objects and/or advantages might beabsent or not required in the application.

[0020] Further, those skilled in the art will recognize that variousembodiments of the present invention may achieve one or more, but notnecessarily all, of the above described objects and/or advantages.Accordingly, the listed objects and advantages are not essentialelements of the present invention, and should not be construed aslimitations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021]FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic front elevational view of an example of abarrel washing apparatus, according to the present invention;

[0022]FIG. 2 is a cross sectional front elevational view of the winebarrel of FIG. 1, showing a wand apparatus inserted therein;

[0023]FIG. 3 is a more detailed view of the distal end of the suctiontube of FIG. 2;

[0024]FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the stopper of FIG. 2;

[0025]FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the stopper of FIG. 2;

[0026]FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a spray head and a suctiontube of the barrel washing apparatus of FIG. 1 coupled to respectivesupply lines, prior to insertion into a barrel;

[0027]FIG. 7 is a cross sectional side elevational view of the servicecart of FIG. 1;

[0028]FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of an alternate embodiment ofthe service cart;

[0029]FIG. 9 is a cross sectional side view of an alternate embodimentof a suction tube;

[0030]FIG. 10 is a flow chart summarizing one particular method ofwashing a barrel according to the present invention; and

[0031]FIG. 11 is a flow chart summarizing one particular method ofperforming the fourth step (spraying inside of barrel) of the method ofFIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] This invention is described in the following description withreference to the Figures, in which like numbers represent the same orsimilar elements. While this invention is described in terms of modesfor achieving this invention's objectives, it will be appreciated bythose skilled in the art that variations may be accomplished in view ofthese teachings without deviating from the spirit or scope of thepresent invention. The embodiments and variations of the inventiondescribed herein, and/or shown in the drawings, are presented by way ofexample only and are not limiting as to the scope of the invention.Unless otherwise specifically stated, individual aspects and componentsof the invention may be omitted or modified, or may have substitutedtherefore known equivalents, or as yet unknown substitutes such as maybe developed in the future or such as may be found to be acceptablesubstitutes in the future. The invention may also be modified for avariety of applications while remaining within the spirit and scope ofthe claimed invention, since the range of potential applications isgreat, and since it is intended that the present invention be adaptableto many such variations. In the following description, details of wellknown and/or commonly commercially available electronic control andplumbing apparatus, such as electronic controllers, fluid manifoldassemblies, and the like, have not been specifically discussed indetail, so as to avoid unnecessary complexity which might obscuredisclosure of the true nature of the present invention.

[0033] A known mode for carrying out the invention is a wine barrelwashing apparatus. The inventive barrel washing apparatus is depicted ina diagrammatic front elevational view in FIG. 1 and is designatedtherein by the general reference character 10. The barrel washingapparatus 10 has a service cart 12 and a wand assembly 14. The wandassembly 14 is adapted for insertion into a wine barrel 16 for cleaningthe wine barrel 16. A connecting hose 18 connects the wand assembly 14to the service cart 12.

[0034]FIG. 2 is a cross sectional elevational view of the wine barrel 16of FIG. 1, showing the wand assembly 14 inserted therein. In the view ofFIG. 2 it can be seen that the wand assembly 14 is inserted into thewine barrel 16 through a bung hole 20 in the wine barrel. The wandassembly 14 includes a spray head 22, a suction tube 24, a barrelstopper 26, and a fluid supply tube 28. The fluid supply tube 28 isrigid, and supports the spray head 22 within the wine barrel 16. Thebarrel stopper 26 holds the suction tube 24 and the fluid supply tube 28in position during a wash operation, as will be described in greaterdetail hereinafter.

[0035] The spray head 22 is a commercially available Model VII sprayhead available from Gamajet™ Cleaning Systems, Inc. of Malvern, Pa.However, it is anticipated that other brands and types of spray headapparatus could be successfully employed to achieve the objectives ofthe present invention. During a cleaning operation, the spray head 22sprays the inner walls of the wine barrel 16 with cleaning/rinsingsolution. High pressure solution which is provided to the spray head 22via the fluid supply tube 28 causes the spray head 22 to rotate aboutits longitudinal axis longitudinal axis 30. The high pressure fluid alsocauses a multi-aperture spray jet 32 to rotate about a second axis notparallel to (in this particular embodiment, perpendicular to) thelongitudinal axis 30, as indicated by rotational directional arrow 34 inthe view of FIG. 2. In this manner, the entire inner wall is subjectedto the spray, although portions of the inner wall in the “shadow” of thesuction tube 24 will not receive the full force of the spray. Slightlyrotating the suction tube 24 within the barrel stopper 26 at some pointduring the wash operation will ensure that even that portion issubjected to the direct spray.

[0036] Note that the fluid supply tube 28 includes a plurality of bends.These bends facilitate the insertion of the spray head 22 through thebung hole 20 of the wine barrel 16, even when the wine barrel 16 isstored on racks with other such wine barrels 16. When the wine barrels16 are stored on racks, the clearance between the top of one wine barrel16 and the bottom of the wine barrel 16 above it is typically only about8 to 10 inches, making it difficult, if not impossible, to insert long,straight tubes into the barrels. The bends in the fluid supply tube 28allow the spray head 22 to be inserted into the wine barrel 16 even insuch restricted spaces.

[0037] As can be seen in the view of FIG. 2, the suction tube 24 is alsobent. The bend in the suction tube 24 provides several advantages. Thebent shape allows the suction tube 24 to be inserted through the bunghole 20 of the wine barrel 16 in the restricted spaces, as describedabove in relation to the description of the shape of the fluid supplytube 28. Additionally, the bent shape prevents the suction tube 24 frommechanically interfering with the operation of the spray head 22. Also,the closer the suction tube 24 is to the wall of the wine barrel 16, thesmaller will be the shadow cast thereby. In the embodiment beingdescribed, the suction tube 24 has a generally large radius, curvedbend. It should be understood however, that the advantages describedabove can also be achieved by forming a plurality of spaced apartangular bends, or the like, in the suction tube 24.

[0038] The suction tube 24 is dimensioned such that it has an opendistal end 36 which can be positioned as close to the bottom of the winebarrel 16 as possible. The distal end 36 is irregularly shaped such thateven when it is abutted against the bottom of the wine barrel 16 thedistal end 36 of the suction tube 24 will not be occluded, and fluidswill still be able to enter the suction tube 24. Keeping the open distalend 36 as close as possible to the bottom of the wine barrel 16minimizes the amount of fluid remaining in the barrel following awashing operation.

[0039]FIG. 3 is a more detailed view of the distal end 36 of the suctiontube 24. As can be seen in the view of FIG. 3, the shape of the distalend 36 insures that fluids can enter a cut away portion 38 of the distalend 36 even when the distal end 36 is abutted against the wine barrel16.

[0040]FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the barrel stopper 26. In the view ofFIG. 4 it can be seen that the barrel stopper 26 has a supply tubefeed-through aperture 40, a suction tube feed-through aperture 42, andat least one vent hole 44 (two are shown in the example of FIG. 4). Thesupply tube feed-through aperture 40 facilitates the passagetherethrough of the fluid supply tube 28, which is held in place thereinby a set screw 46. The suction tube feed-through aperture 42 provides apassage wherethrough the suction tube 24 can be passed. The vent holes44 prevent excess positive or negative pressure from building up in thewine barrel 16, which pressure might cause damage to the wine barrel 16,injury to workers, or else might interfere with the washing operation.

[0041]FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the barrel stopper 26 showinga threaded screw receiving aperture 48 for receiving the set screw 46(FIG. 4). As can be seen in the view of FIG. 5, the sides of the barrelstopper 26 are tapered in the general manner of a conventional stopper,such that the barrel stopper 26 can be snugly inserted into the bunghole 20 of the wine barrel 16 (FIG. 2).

[0042]FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the wand assembly 14 of FIGS.1 and 2. In the view of FIG. 6 it can be seen that the fluid supply tube28 is connected to a high pressure fluid line 50 and the suction tube 24is connected to a vacuum line 52. At some distance from the wandassembly 14, the fluid line 50 and the vacuum line 52 are joinedtogether to form the connecting hose 18 assembly. Near the wand assembly14 the fluid line 50 and the vacuum line 52 are separated so as tofacilitate the independent manipulation of the tubes 50 and 52 to allowfor the insertion thereof into the bung hole 20 of the wine barrel 16,as will be described in more detail hereinafter. In the presentembodiment of the invention, the fluid line 50 and the vacuum line 52are joined together side by side to form the connecting hose 18. In analternate embodiment (not shown) the fluid line 50 has been placedinside the vacuum line 52 in a generally concentric arrangement.

[0043] Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 6, the spray head 22 and thesuction tube 24 are inserted into the wine barrel 16 as follows.Initially, the barrel stopper 26 is secured to the fluid supply tube 28by the set screw 46. The fluid supply tube 28 with the spray head 22attached is then inserted through the bung hole 20 of the wine barrel16. Because there are no other lines passing through the bung hole 20 atthis time, the spray head 22 can have a diameter almost as large as thediameter of the bung hole 20. Next, the fluid supply tube 28 is advancedthrough the bung hole 20 a sufficient distance such that neither thespray head 22 nor the barrel stopper 26 interferes with the bung hole 20opening. Next, the suction tube 24 is inserted through the bung hole 20along side the already inserted fluid supply tube 28. This method allowsthe diameter of the suction tube 24 to be almost as large as thediameter of the bung hole 20 minus the diameter of the fluid supply tube28. The suction tube 24 is then advanced through the bung hole 20 untilits distal end 36 rests upon the bottom of the wine barrel 16. The fluidsupply tube 28 is the further advanced until the barrel stopper 26 isnear the bung hole 20, and the suction tube 24 is positioned in thesuction tube feed-through aperture 42. When the components are properlyaligned, the barrel stopper 26 is forced down into the bung hole 20,thereby securing the wand assembly 14 in place. Optionally, the barrelstopper 26 can initially be loosely secured to the fluid supply tube 28,and then be tightened after the remaining components are adjusted inplace.

[0044]FIG. 7 is a cross sectional side elevational view of the servicecart 12 of FIG. 1. In the view of FIG. 7 it can be seen that the servicecart 12 has a plurality (four in this example, two of which can be seenin the side view of FIG. 7) of wheels 53, and a handle 54, such that thebarrel washing apparatus 10 can be easily moved to and about the barrelstorage locations within a winery. In the embodiment of the inventionhere described, the wheels 53 are castor type wheels having eight inchpneumatic tires.

[0045] The service cart 12 has a pressure pump 55, a manifold 56, acontroller 58 including a user interface 60, a vacuum apparatus 62, anda sump 63 with a sump pump 64 located therein. The pressure pump 55provides one or more high pressure cleaning fluids to the fluid line 50via the manifold 56. In the present embodiment of the invention, thepressure pump 55 is capable of providing approximately four gallons perminute at approximately 1100 pounds per square inch of pressure. In oneembodiment of the invention, the manifold 56 has a single input andoutput. The manifold 56 can optionally be configured to select one ormore of several inputs, under control of the controller 58. The manifold56 can also optionally be equipped with a pressure regulator and/or ahigh pressure safety release valve.

[0046] It is presently contemplated that fluids used to clean the winebarrel 16 will be chosen from one or more of cold water, hot waterand/or ozonated water (which is already frequently available inwineries). However, it is within the scope of the invention that othercleaning fluids could be employed for the purpose, keeping in mind thatwhatever is used should neither affect the taste of wine to be stored inthe wine barrel 16 nor should it present any sort of a health hazard.

[0047] The controller 58 controls the operation of the service cart 12by providing control signals to the manifold 56 , the pressure pump 55,the vacuum apparatus 62 and the sump pump 64. Electrical control linesare omitted from the view of FIG. 7 for the sake of clarity. The userinterface 60 which in this example is a keypad, but which could also beor include a keyboard, a computer interface for programming thecontroller 58 from an external computer, a removable media storagedevice, or the like, provides a means for a user to interact with andprogram the controller 58.

[0048] The vacuum apparatus 62 is a vacuum pump, similar to the type ofvacuum pump used on conventional shop “wet” vacuum cleaners. In thepresent example of the invention, the vacuum apparatus 62 is capable ofcreating a vacuum equal to approximately seven inches of mercury atapproximately thirty cubic feet per minute. The vacuum apparatus 62draws fluid(s) 70 from the wine barrel 16 through the vacuum line 52,and such fluid(s) 70 drop into the sump 63 of the service cart 12, asshown in the example of FIG. 7. The sump pump 64 then pumps the fluid(s)70 out through a fluid discharge port 72. In the embodiment of theinvention described, the sump 63 has an approximately fifty galloncapacity, and the sump pump 64 is capable of pumping approximately tengallons per minute at a discharge height of approximately twenty feet.

[0049] The fluid discharge port 72 is a conventional garden hose bib, towhich a conventional garden hose (not shown) can be attached to removethe fluid(s) 70. As will be discussed in more detail hereinafter, sincethe fluid(s) 70 are generally non toxic (frequently just tap water withsome residue from the prior contents of the wine barrel 16), they willusually be discharged into the commonly available drain facilities whichare already available in wineries. Alternatively, the fluid(s) 70 can bepumped into a collection receptacle (not shown) for proper disposal. Adrain fitting 74 is provided for draining the sump 63 when the operationof the barrel washing apparatus 10 is completed.

[0050] The controller 58 has a computer readable medium 76 which, in thepresent example, is the memory containing the programming that causesthe controller to coordinate and control wash cycles performed by thebarrel washing apparatus 10. Generally any desirable cleaning cycle, aswill be discussed in more detail hereinafter, may be implemented by thecontroller 58 according to the programming in the computer readablemedium 76. Optionally, the controller 58 can cause a record to beprinted out (or otherwise displayed or recorded) to verify that aparticular wash cleaning cycle has been completed. In a particularlysimple alternate embodiment, the controller 58 could be replaced with asimple timer, in which case the user interface 60 could be a simplestart button, switch, or the like.

[0051] In the example of the invention shown and described in relationto FIG. 7, the service cart 12 is optionally equipped with a tubingstorage rack 78 for the storage of the connecting hose 18 and any otherhoses or tubes that might be necessary or useful for the connection anduse of the barrel washing apparatus 10.

[0052]FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of yet another embodiment of theservice cart 12 a. The operations and components of the service cart 12a are not greatly different from those discussed in relation to thefirst described embodiment of the service cart 12. It is thought by theinventors that the configuration of the service cart 12 a may make thecomponents somewhat more accessible. In the service cart 12 a, analternate sump 63 a is generally round, and the vacuum apparatus 62 isaffixed to a sump lid 80 which can be easily lifted out of the way. Ascan be seen in the view of FIG. 8, the pressure pump 55, the manifold 56and other components of the service cart 12 a are rearranged to moreconveniently fit on the service cart 12 a .

[0053]FIG. 9 is a cross sectional side view of an alternate embodimentof the suction tube 24. As can be seen in the view of FIG. 9, thealternate suction tube 24 a has a flexible portion 82 such that thesuction tube 24 a will bend slightly at that point. The reason for thisvariation is that all wine barrels 16 are not exactly the same size. Forexample, both fifty five gallon and sixty gallon barrels are common inthe industry. Since it is desirable to have the distal end 36 of thesuction tube 24 a close against the bottom of the wine barrel 16 (FIG.2), and since all such wine barrels 16 are not exactly the same size,the inventors have found that providing this small amount of flexibilitywill enhance the positioning of the suction tube 24 a. In this exampleof the alternate suction tube 24 a, a spring section 84 is provided atthe flexible portion 82. The spring section 84 is essentially aconventional stainless steel spring. Since fluids and/or vacuum pressurewould leak through the spring section 84, a flexible hose 86 is providedwhich completely covers the spring section 84 and provides a generallyhermetic seal thereover.

[0054]FIG. 10 is a flow chart summarizing one particular method 500 ofwashing a wine barrel 16 according to the present invention, which willbe described with references to FIGS. 1 through 8. In a first step 502,the spray head 22 is inserted into the wine barrel 16. Then, in a secondstep 504, the suction tube 24 is inserted into the wine barrel 16. Next,in a third step 506, the fluid supply tube 28 and the suction tube 24are engaged with the bung hole 20 of the wine barrel 16. As can beappreciated in light of the description and drawings previouslydiscussed herein, the fluid supply tube 28 is affixed to the barrelstopper 26 (by the set screw 46) prior to the first step 502. However,the suction tube 24 is not slipped into the suction tube feed-throughaperture 42 until the third step 506. Accordingly, even though thecompletely assembled wand assembly 14 could not be fitted through thebung hole 20, according to the above described method, the wand assembly14 is secured in the wine barrel 16 as previously described herein.

[0055] In a fourth step 508, high pressure fluid is provided to thespray head 22 to spray the inside of the wine barrel 16. Generallyvacuum will be provided to the suction tube 24 during the entire washoperation. However, in a fifth step 510, even after fluid has ceased tobe sprayed through the spray head 22, vacuum continues to be applied tothe suction tube 24 to finish removing any remaining fluid from the winebarrel 16. It should be noted that, in some cases, it may be necessaryto remove residue fluids from a wine barrel 16 even before beginning tospray the inside of the wine barrel 16 . In that case, vacuum would beapplied to the suction tube 24 prior to spraying.

[0056] In a sixth step 512, the fluid supply tube 28 and the suctiontube 24 are disengaged from the bung hole 20. In a seventh step 514, thesuction tube 24 is removed from the barrel, and in an eighth step 516the spray head 22 is removed from the wine barrel 16.

[0057]FIG. 11 is a flow diagram summarizing one particular method 600 ofperforming the fourth step (spraying inside of barrel) of the method 500of FIG. 10. In a first step 602 the controller 58 determines (based onuser input through the user interface 60) whether a custom wash cycle isrequired. If not, then in a second step 604 the controller 58 sets thetime for a standard wash. In a third step 606, spraying the inside ofthe wine barrel 16 begins. In a fourth step 608, the controller 58determines whether the standard wash time has elapsed. If so, then in afifth step 610, spraying is terminated. In a sixth step 612, thecontroller 58 determines if printed verification of the completed washcycle is required. If so, then in a seventh step 614, verification isprinted, after which method 600 ends.

[0058] If, in first step 602, the controller 58 determines that a customwash is desired, then method 600 proceeds to an eighth step 616 wherethe custom wash parameters are set. In a ninth step 618, the custom washbegins. In a tenth step 620, the controller 58 determines whether thecustom wash is completed. Tenth step 620 repeats until it is determinedthat the custom wash cycle is complete, then method 600 proceeds tofifth step 610.

[0059] Many of the described features may be substituted, altered oromitted without departing from the scope of the invention. For example,alternate spray heads may be substituted for the particular spray headdisclosed. As another example, alternate manifolds may be employeddepending on the complexity and number of different fluids required fora particular wash operation.

[0060] Various other modifications may be made to the invention withoutaltering its value or scope. For example, the sizes, shapes andquantities of components shown and described in relation to the examplesdiscussed herein could each or all be varied according the needs orconvenience of a particular application. All of the above are only someof the examples of available embodiments of the present invention. Thoseskilled in the art will readily observe that numerous othermodifications and alterations may be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the disclosure herein isnot intended as limiting and the appended claims are to be interpretedas encompassing the entire scope of the invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0061] The inventive barrel washing apparatus 10 is intended to bewidely used for the cleaning of barrels, particularly the wine barrels16 discussed herein. The present invention overcomes the problemsassociated with the prior art, by providing an apparatus and method forwashing the inside of wine barrels 16, without moving the barrels 16.Although there are many different processes and practices used in theproduction of wine, and although such practices vary widely from countryto country and depending upon the exact type of wine being produced andthe personal preferences of the producer, it is believed that all wineproduction facilities that use barrels could benefit from the use of thepresent invention. Although, because of the great variation in possibleapplications it will require some experimentation to discover exactlyhow long the operations should cycle according to the present inventivemethod, it is presently believed that a wash time of approximately 3½minutes at approximately 700 PSI and 4 gallons per minute of ordinarytap water should result in a thorough cleaning of most wine barrels.

[0062] Therefore, since the barrel washing apparatus 10 of the presentinvention may be readily produced and integrated with existing winemaking systems and practices, and since the advantages as describedherein are provided, it is expected that it will be readily accepted inthe industry. For these and other reasons, it is expected that theutility and industrial applicability of the invention will be bothsignificant in scope and long-lasting in duration.

[0063] NOTICE: This correspondence chart is provided for informationalpurpose only. It is not a part of the official Patent Application.

CORRESPONDENCE CHART

[0064]10 BARREL WASHING APPARATUS

[0065]12 SERVICE CART

[0066]14 WAND ASSEMBLY

[0067]16 WINE BARREL

[0068]18 CONNECTING HOSE

[0069]20 BUNG HOLE

[0070]22 SPRAY HEAD

[0071]24 SUCTION TUBE

[0072]26 BARREL STOPPER

[0073]28 FLUID SUPPLY TUBE

[0074]30 LONGITUDINAL AXIS

[0075]32 SPRAY JET

[0076]34 ROTATIONAL DIRECTIONAL ARROW

[0077]36 DISTAL END

[0078]38 CUT AWAY PORTION

[0079]40 SUPPLY TUBE FEED-THROUGH APERTURE

[0080]42 SUCTION TUBE FEED-THROUGH APERTURE

[0081]44 VENT HOLE

[0082]46 SET SCREW

[0083]48 SCREW RECEIVING APERTURE

[0084]50 FLUID LINE

[0085]52 VACUUM LINE

[0086]53 WHEELS

[0087]54 HANDLE

[0088]55 PRESSURE PUMP

[0089]56 MANIFOLD

[0090]58 CONTROLLER

[0091]60 USER INTERFACE

[0092]62 VACUUM APPARATUS

[0093]63 SUMP

[0094]64 SUMP PUMP

[0095]70 FLUID(S)

[0096]72 FLUID DISCHARGE PORT

[0097]74 DRAIN FITTING

[0098]76 COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM

[0099]78 TUBING STORAGE RACK

[0100]80 SUMP LID

[0101]82 FLEXIBLE PORTION

[0102]84 SPRING

[0103]86 FLEXIBLE HOSE

[0104]500 BARREL WASHING METHOD

[0105]502 INSERT SPRAYHEAD OPERATION

[0106]504 INSERT SUCTION TUBE OPERATION

[0107]506 ENGAGE SUPPLY LINE AND SUCTION TUBE OPERATION

[0108]508 SPRAY BARREL OPERATION

[0109]510 FINISH DRAINING OPERATION

[0110]512 DISENGAGE TUBES OPERATION

[0111]514 REMOVE SUCTION TUBE OPERATION

[0112]516 REMOVE SPRAYHEAD OPERATION

[0113]600 SPRAY BARREL SUBOPERATION

[0114]602 CUSTOM WASH DECISION OPERATION

[0115]606 BEGIN SPRAYING OPERATION

[0116]608 TIME EXPIRED DECISION OPERATION

[0117]610 TERMINATE SPRAY OPERATION

[0118]612 PRINTOUT DECISION OPERATION

[0119]614 PRINT VERIFICATION OPERATION

[0120]616 SET WASH PARAMETERS OPERATION

[0121]618 BEGIN CUSTOM WASH OPERATION

[0122]620 WASH COMPLETE DECISION OPERATION

I claim:
 1. A barrel cleaning apparatus for cleaning the inside of abarrel with a fluid, comprising: a spray nozzle for spraying the insideof the barrel with the fluid; a fluid stem for providing the fluid tothe spray nozzle; a suction tube for removing the fluid from the barrel;a bung hole plug for accepting the fluid stem and the suction tube, andfurther for holding the fluid stem and the suction tube in place withinthe barrel.
 2. The barrel cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein: thebarrel is a wine barrel.
 3. The barrel cleaning apparatus of claim 1,wherein: the fluid stem is generally curved.
 4. The barrel cleaningapparatus of claim 1, wherein: the suction tube is generally curved. 5.The barrel cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the suction tube hasa notch at the distal end thereof such that the distal end will not beoccluded even when the suction tube is against the bottom of the barrel.6. The barrel cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the suction tubeincludes a flexible section.
 7. The barrel cleaning apparatus of claim6, wherein: the flexible section includes a spring for providingflexibility to at least a portion of the suction tube; and a tubesection for preventing leaking through the spring.
 8. The barrelcleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the spray nozzle is caused torotate by the pressure of the fluid provided through the fluid stem. 9.The barrel cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the spray nozzle hasat least one jet that rotates simultaneously about at least two axis.10. The barrel cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the bung holeplug includes at least one vent hole.
 11. The barrel cleaning apparatusof claim 1, wherein: the bung hole plug includes a securing means forsecuring at least one of either the fluid stem or the suction tubethereto.
 12. The barrel cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein: thesecuring means is a set screw.
 13. The barrel cleaning apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein: the bung hole plug includes a fluid stem passage forpassing the fluid stem at least partially therethrough
 14. The barrelcleaning apparatus of claim 13, and further including: a set screw forsecuring the fluid stem within the fluid stem passage.
 15. The barrelcleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the bung hole plug includes adrain tube passage such that the drain tube can be passed through thebung hole plug.
 16. The barrel cleaning apparatus of claim 15, wherein:the drain tube passage opens to the side of the bung hole plug such thatthe drain tube can be placed into the drain tube passage from the sideof the bung hole plug.
 17. The barrel cleaning apparatus of claim 1,wherein the sum of a width of said spray nozzel and the diameter of saidsuction tube is at least as large as the diameter of said bung holeplug.
 18. A wine barrel cleaning apparatus for cleaning the interior ofa wine barrel with a fluid, comprising: a nozzle for spraying the fluidinto the wine barrel; a high pressure pump for pumping the fluid to thenozzle through a fluid supply hose; a suction tube for removing thefluid from the wine barrel and a vacuum pump for pulling the fluid fromsuction tube through a vacuum hose.
 19. The wine barrel cleaningapparatus of claim 18, and further including: a fluid sump for receivingthe fluid from the vacuum pump.
 20. The wine barrel cleaning apparatusof claim 18, and further including: a sump pump for pumping the fluidfrom the fluid sump.
 21. The wine barrel cleaning apparatus of claim 18,and further including: a rolling cart for mounting the high pressurepump and the vacuum pump thereon.
 22. The wine barrel cleaning apparatusof claim 18, and further including: a plug apparatus for holding andpositioning the nozzle and the suction tube within the wine barrel. 23.The wine barrel cleaning apparatus of claim 18, wherein the sum of thewidth of said nozzle and the diameter of said suction tube are at leastas large as the diameter of said plug apparatus.
 24. The wine barrelcleaning apparatus of claim 18, and further including: a controllerapparatus for timing the operation of at least the high pressure pumpand the vacuum pump.
 25. A method for cleaning a wine barrel,comprising: inserting a fluid stem with a nozzle affixed thereto intothe wine barrel; inserting a vacuum tube into the wine barrel; providinga fluid under high pressure to the fluid stem; and providing a vacuum tothe vacuum tube.
 26. The method for cleaning a wine barrel of claim 25,wherein: at least one of either the fluid stem or the vacuum tube iscurved.
 27. The method for cleaning a wine barrel of claim 25, wherein:the fluid stem and the vacuum tube are fixed in position within the winebarrel by a plug apparatus.
 28. The method for cleaning a wine barrel ofclaim 27, wherein: the plug apparatus is secured into a bung hole of thewine barrel.
 29. The method for cleaning a wine barrel of claim 27,wherein: the fluid stem is rigidly affixed to the plug apparatus. 30.The method for cleaning a wine barrel of claim 27, wherein: the plugapparatus has a recession in the side thereof for accepting the vacuumtube therethrough.
 31. The method for cleaning a wine barrel of claim27, wherein: the sequence and length of application of the high pressurefluid and the vacuum are controlled by an electrical controlling device.32. The method for cleaning a wine barrel of claim 31, wherein: theelectrical controlling device is a digital controller operatingaccording to instructions recorded in a digital medium.
 33. The methodfor cleaning a wine barrel of claim 27, wherein the diameter of the plugapparatus is smaller than the sum of the width of the nozzle and thediameter of the vacuum tube.